I spend a lot of time hopping around the Internet looking for travel magazines that don’t know yet that they want to feature my writing front and center. As a student at MatadorU, I’ve stepped up the search for my own writing purposes, and if you are also an aspiring travel writer, I encourage you to check out the following paying publications, all of which are currently seeking submissions:

2Camels (http://www.2camels.com/) is a website that highlights a wide range of events and festivals from around the world with an extensive array of articles and snippets. The editor of 2Camels, Paul Dodson, is looking for writers and photographers who have a passion for festivals, events and traveling. Writers should surround the reader with the experience, encouraging them to smell the local foods frying in the street shacks and hear the roar of the crowds as the bulls run down the streets of Pamplona. Articles should be timeless and capture the essence of the event rather than providing concert line-ups or information that changes from year-to-year. 2Camels receives 4 million hits a year, so in addition to exposure, writers are guaranteed a healthy bio complete with link love and $20 per article. Submission guidelines are detailed and can be found here.

Travel Thru History (http://www.travelthruhistory.com/) explores historical and cultural experiences. Visitors to the site are immersed in the past and present with writing that takes people to another time and place. Editor W. Ruth Kozak seeks stories that feature the historical, archaeological and cultural dimensions of a destination. Writers who have taken literary journeys, visited sites haunted by artists, and wandered through the halls of interesting museums and art galleries are encouraged to submit material. Travel Thru History provides more than just destination information; writers need to engage readers with strong details about a destination. Stories range from 500 – 1,500 words, and payment depends on length of article. Writers must submit photography if an article is accepted. Complete submission guidelines can be found here.

Verge Magazine (http://www.vergemagazine.com/index.php) is a print and online publication that explores opportunities to study, work and volunteer abroad for readers in Canada and the United States. Co-founder and editor-in-chief Jeff Minthorn has extensive experience traveling and working abroad, and it is expected that writers of Verge will provide content that motivates and informs readers interested in doing the same. Articles should be engaging and provide how-to information for readers interested in learning more about traveling with a purpose. There are many department columns and feature opportunities open to freelance submissions. Providing photographs is strongly encouraged. Verge Magazine pays $.10 (CAD) per word. Writers may submit manuscripts or detailed queries as noted in the submission guidelines, which can be accessed here.

The Expeditioner (http://www.theexpeditioner.com/) is an online magazine featuring articles for young and avid travelers. Writers are encouraged to submit first-person narratives ranging from 900 – 1,200 words that inspire fellow travelers. Check the site’s list of articles on file to get a feel for the voice of the site. Writers should take note of all the destinations that have no articles on file as these may be the easiest areas to break in to. Pay depends upon experience. Full submission guidelines can be found here.

GoNOMAD (http://www.gonomad.com/) is a community of travelers interested in independent and alternative travel. It features the unexplored and unseen for people who hope to travel off the beaten path. Editor Max Hartshorne is passionate about connecting travelers with the people, culture and environment of a destination. As a source of information about alternative ways of seeing the world, writing should be well-written, accurate and detailed, and engage and encourage travel that teaches, challenges, enlightens and rewards. Article opportunities range from first-person narratives and local spotlights to destination mini-guides. Submissions with photographs are well-received. Pay is $25 per feature; guidelines for submissions are detailed here.

Escape Artist (http://www.escapeartist.com/) offers information to people interested in pursuing the expatriate lifestyle. It offers information on living abroad, international real estate, asset protection and securing jobs overseas. In addition to extensive online content, Escape Artist publishes Escape From America Magazine, which is published monthly, focuses on international relocation and is read by nearly 400,000 subscribers. The site publishes countless articles every month as well as eBooks and special reports. The average article is 1,500 – 3,000 words; payment depends on the needs and desires of the site and writer. More details on pay structure and submission guidelines can be found here.

Literary Traveler (http://www.literarytraveler.com/default.aspx) walks the footsteps of artists and writers by exploring the lives they lived and the journeys they took. Launched in 1998 by Linda and Francis McGovern and inspired by their love of literature and travel, Literary Traveler is a place for readers to learn about their favorite writers and the places they lived and traveled. Articles transport readers to a moment in time where they can relive experiences that inspired the world’s most famous artists. Literary Traveler has more than 80,000 visitors every month and is seeking first-person travel pieces, subjective work that takes a meditative slant on a particular theme or objective writing about places, writers or artists. All articles are 1,500 – 2,000 words and focus in some way about a literary person or place. Pay is $50 per article. Submission guidelines are found here. (NOTE: As of March 2012, this website appears to be down.)

Everywhere (http://www.everywheremag.com/) seeks authentic world experiences. Created by 8020 Media, this magazine is created by a community of writers. Anyone with a travel story is invited to submit their writing and photographs to the Everywhere travel website, then community members vote on the stories they like the best. Editors choose from the highest quality work submitted on the site to create a printed publication. Those who write contributions that are chosen for publication are paid and receive a free subscription to the magazine. Visit the community and learn more about the selection process here.

Trailer Life (http://www.trailerlife.com/) provides information to RV enthusiasts about the RV lifestyle. Topics in the magazine range from technical to do-it-yourself projects, but there is also a section of the publication dedicated to travel. These features can highlight any destination in the world — as long as it can be accessed by an RV. In particular, the editor seeks information on lesser-known destinations or unique angles on more popular destinations. Submissions should include a map of the route, campgrounds and boundaries of the area described. A number of high-quality photos, including some with RVs, are requested with every submission. Article payment is up to $600 a piece with additional payments for photos. Full writers’ guidelines and information on how to submit can be found here.

Go World Travel Magazine (http://www.goworldtravel.com) is home to a wide variety of destination writing. The site has subscribers from more than 50 countries and is growing consistently and constantly. Articles should be written from an international perspective. Go World Travel Magazine has a number of categories, including destination, personality profiles, eco-travel, off the beaten path and first-person narratives. The publication values strong descriptive writing with vivid descriptions, anecdotes and language that conveys curiosity and interest in a destination. Writers should include a sidebar with useful information. Features should be 800 – 1,200 words and pay between $35 and $50. For details on pay for shorter pieces and for comprehensive instructions on how to submit, see the full writers’ guidelines here.

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